Him Of All People

2.0

two//:

Tossing and turning, I gave up on sleep after 4 am. The insomnia was getting worse day by day. And boy, did it show. The tired lines and heavy bags formed under my eyes.
My pale sea-green eyes were drooping from the lack of sleep. By the crack of dawn, the warm sunlight danced along the edges of the room.

His rapidly pulsing heart, mint-y fresh breath, and twinkling brown orbs were stuck in my head.

Sighing heavily, I stretched out of my bed. Lazily walking to the bathroom, I brushed my teeth, fixed my long hair into a messy ponytail, and adjusted my huge pink sweatshirt and black adidas shorts.

Walking past the dozens of empty guest bedrooms, I made my way to the kitchen. The light sound of drizzling rain hitting against the window pane some how relaxed me. Soon my feet fell into a rhythmic motion, and I tuned out my sorrows for the day—focused.

A day in. A day out.

Klink - Klink - Klink

I never heard rustling in the kitchen before. Usually, breakfast only consisted of Honey (my dog) and me eating our meal silently. Mother and Father would have left by now. Leaving no note behind, unconcerned with how I chose to spend the day.

They never asked. Never really cared.

My eyebrows knit together, as my feet hit the cool-tiled floor—a wave of a chilly day's wind shivers throughout my body.

That's when I spot him. The shiver is instantly replaced by a pleasurable warmth blossoming from my chest, spreading down to the tips of my toes.

He sat on the white old rickety dinning chair, that gave the room a vintage-esk feel to it. A small, clean bowl was placed in front of him— nearly erupting with a healthy pile of cereal bran and skim milk.

His glimmering hazel-eyes orbs scanned the newspaper, before they landed on me. I saw surprise, amusement, and a pang of an unknown emotion flicker across those eyes.

He stared at me for a bit, before looking back down at his newspaper and sipping his tea or coffee.

I didn't know I would be even seeing him again, after last night. Let alone, this early in the morning at the kitchen table.

A pale pink color brushed across my cheeks, making my freckles stand out a tad more.

"Morning, Tessy."

His voice rang in my ears. It bounced from wall to the next, it's raspy yet gentle tone pooled at my feet. Oh hell.

His gaze never once left the newspaper, and yet it seemed like he waited for me to reply back.

"Morning Uncle Hunter," I replied back, shyly. Ignoring the awkward feeling my light voice brought into the room; I gingerly walked to the off-white cabinet, grabbing a bowl and spoon for myself.

"You know, I'm technically not even your Uncle. Tina and Jim just raised me, Tessy. You don't have to be so formal. Hunter. That's all, babe," Hunter spoke up, so casually flustering me with his new found nickname for me.

He was right though. I guess the only reason I still called him Uncle was out of respect and to make him somehow fit into the family more (if that even makes sense). Hunter. I liked the sound of that. Short and curt, yet quite mysterious.

"Okay...Uncle Hun—I mean Hunter."

I wanted to face palm myself, but I was holding a bowl and spoon for my 'nutritious' cereal. It was evident now, my cheeks were flaming with colour.

Great job for not making a fool of yourself, Tess.

An easy grin slipped on his face. His eyes crinkled at the corners and his stress lines seemed to disappear. He appeared to have a boyish charm again, as if he were to be 18 again. I liked it. He seemed so open and endearing when laid back.

God, I could stare at him all day.

As my stomach growled to rudely inform me of its morning hunger, I shuffled forward—creating myself a huge bowl of Reece's Puffs cereal.

Ohh the ooey-gooey chocolat-i-ness with the crunch of the creamy peanut butter; I'm way to excited for a bowl of cereal.

Feeling eyes on me as I pour myself a hearty amount, I bite my lip.

"Reece's Puffs? Tessy, you really want to get a sugar-high at 7:30 in the morning?" Hunter questions, chuckling to himself. I could hear the teasing tone he spoke in.

Rolling my eyes—playfully— I turned back to face him, the small bowl in my hands.

"For your information, Reece's Puffs are quite delicious. The flavour palette is exceptional, actually. Incase you don't know Hunter, I'm going to eat what I want, when I want to and you can't say nothing. Go on, enjoy your old people breakfast; I'm sure you're craving some oatmeal right about now as well, I presume," I stated, trying to keep a straight face as we quarrel back and forth.

It was funny how I would never dare talk like that in front of anyone, not even my parents. And yet, in front of Hunter, it was as though I was completely and utterly unfiltered.

"Ha-Ha, very funny. For your information, I'm not even a inch closer to being old. Babe, it's going to take a lot more outta me to get greying hair and heavy wrinkles," Hunter said, as he walked by and placed his bowl in the sink.

"A bit arrogant there buddy," I teased back, my amused gaze not wavering. Turning to grab some milk out of the fridge, my eyes scan the cartons of the cold dairy product.

All of a sudden I feel light breathing over my neck. The warmth radiating off of Hunter buzzed in the air. He was so close.

Right up against my ear, he spoke, in almost a hushed whisper. It was raspy, and yet sexy.

"Why not? What have I got to lose?"

The words echoed in my air, as his nearness began to affect me. Peppering a soft kiss up against my neck, he left the kitchen and retreated back to his guest bedroom. The kiss was so delicate and vulnerable that I could have been imagining it.

Maybe I even was.

—
Hey Y'all!

(Song: Wildfire by Seafret)

• I can't believe I re-wrote the second chapter so quick!

• Again, super sorry for not having long chapters!

• This book is going to be short + sweet.

• Thank you to anyone who comments or leaves a like! Share it with anyone you please :)

See ya soon, lovelies!